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OPINION

Discussing the pros and cons of opioids use

Reader submissions
Published 11:11 a.m. PT March 19, 2018

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new numbers on the opioid crisis, saying the number of overdose visits to hospital emergency rooms soared last year, the latest evidence the nation's drug crisis is getting worse.
AP

Millions of Americans are harmed by the opioid epidemic, which involves abuse of drugs such as oxycodone.(Photo11: Patrick Sison / AP)

I think that it is important to note that often opioids are over-prescribed for the treatment of many types of common pain. This has been shown lead to addiction and all its medical and social consequences.

Studies have shown that for some types of chronic pain, such as backache, hip or knee arthritis, as well as short-term pain such as broken bones, kidney stones and dental work, non-opioid treatments work as well or better than opioids. Anti-inflammatory drugs, including Tylenol and ibuprofen, were used in these studies.

It appears that for many types for pain opioids should not be the first choice of therapy. If they fail to relieve pain opioids can be considered. One of the study physicians said that if they (opioids) don’t work better that less risky drugs, there is no reason to use opioids given their really nasty side effects. This is not to say that opioids do not have important uses in severe chronic pain.

I am 86 years old and daily suffer chronic pain, often severe. Tylenol-type pain relievers are generally ineffective. Other standard over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers that may help are all classified as “NSAIDS,” and therefore unavailable to me due to other physical conditions.

Opioids are my “go to” relief for pain. My present use is intermittent, but a daily option. Should I have to increase my use, and indeed become an addict, what difference does it make to society other than giving an old man relief in his final years and making drug control easier?

Politicians who guard society against dangerous drugs should recognize that there is a legitimate heavy use of opioids that both protects society and offers comfort to old people battling everyday pain.

The bill being championed by state Sen. Jeff Stone is telling on several scores, i.e., to subject us snowbirds to California income tax.

One of those is it reflects the sad reality that, after decades of lousy fiscal policy and remarkably irresponsible administration of the public purse by government at every level, it is time to suggest ridiculous and truly disastrous “solutions.”

T.J. Sexton, Indian Wells

You have that power now

Re: “Rotation in office,” March 13 letter to the editor

The author was requesting that his city (Rancho Mirage) adopt term limits.

You already have term limits, as we all do. It's called the ballot box.